Publication

This commentary examines how Iraq's regional crisis and the failing political system have had a negative effect on the country's culture. It discusses how the Iraqi government is turning to culture in an attempt to reinvigorate a sense of national identity, hoping this will foster reconciliation in Iraqi society. These attempts, however, are compromised by the local and regional crises, the leadership’s implausible approach to culture, and the political system’s inherent flaws. The author argues that European policymakers should support Iraq’s reconciliation efforts by channeling investment into human capital and encouraging independent cross-community cultural initiatives.